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About

About

Ricardo Zimmermann is a senior researcher at the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC), Portugal. His qualification includes a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Management by the University of Aveiro, a Master in Management by the University of Aveiro, a Master in Business Administration by SENAI (National Service of Industrial Learning), Brazil and a BS in Management by the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil. His main research interest is the role of digital technologies on the development of sustainable and resilient supply chains. Ricardo has management experience in companies in Portugal and Brazil.

Interest
Topics
Details

Details

  • Name

    Ricardo Augusto Zimmermann
  • Role

    Senior Researcher
  • Since

    09th September 2019
006
Publications

2025

Developing Strategies for Sustainable and Resilient Supply Chains

Authors
Zimmermann, R; Senna, P; Pereira, P; Fornasiero, R; Zangiacomi, A; Betto, F;

Publication
HUMAN-CENTRED TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, VOL 3, IAMOT 2024

Abstract
Although recent studies have recognised that sustainability and resilience should be considered part of the same efforts in the context of a transformative perspective, research combining both constructs is still scarce. This study adopts a comprehensive perspective that acknowledges that maintaining business continuity (through persisting, adapting or transforming), to reduce long-term risks is a common aspect of sustainability and resilience. It aims to identify strategies to be applied by companies and SCs in order to increase their social, environmental and economic sustainability, as well as their ability to be ready, respond and recover from unexpected events. Considering that the actions and strategies to deal with sustainability and resilience can be different and eventually paradoxical, this work applies the organizational ambidexterity approach as a theoretical background.

2025

Redesign of Circular Products: An Analysis of the Fashion Industry

Authors
Dalmarco, G; Stacchetti, F; Ines, A; Zimmermann, R;

Publication
HUMAN-CENTRED TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, VOL 3, IAMOT 2024

Abstract
The concept of circular economy aims to extend the end-of-life of products by reducing or reusing products and materials, being Design a central part of a successful circular product. In line with the 6Rs strategy for circularity, Redesign (applied by eco-design practices) allows the creation of products that can be easily repaired, upgraded, or disassembled, extending their life, and fomenting a circular economy. For that reason, the aim of this research is to analyse the role of Redesign in the circularity of footwear products. Exploratory qualitative research was conducted, with five in-depth interviews with founders and R&D managers of prominent footwear organizations. Results demonstrate that most interviewed companies, which were born circular, considered Redesign practices from the definition of the product concept. In conclusion, looking at Redesign strategies holistically and through its specific sub-relationships have a major impact on the company's circularity practises.

2025

Birds of a feather flock together: increasing social sustainability through supply chain visibility

Authors
Zimmermann, R; Toscano, C; Chaves, AC;

Publication
PRODUCTION PLANNING & CONTROL

Abstract
This study reflects the assumption that all links in a supply chain (SC) must share responsibility for socio-environmental issues. One of the main barriers to ensuring the sustainability of an SC is the difficulty in accessing partners' information, especially beyond the first tier. Due to the great geographical dispersion, large number of small companies, and, mainly, the growth of the fast fashion industry, the textile sector is recognised as a priority when it comes to social sustainability issues. Moreover, consumers are increasingly demanding information about the social footprint of products. Thus, this paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of how SC visibility can contribute to increasing the social sustainability of textile SCs. Using a longitudinal perspective and adopting mixed methods integrated into a design science strategy, we evaluate SC visibility in the context of two Portuguese textile supply chains, before and after the development of a technology-based solution.

2024

The Impact of the Fit Between Supply and Demand Uncertainty and Supply Chain Responsiveness on the Performance of Portuguese Companies

Authors
Zimmermann, R; Ferreira, LMDF; Moreira, AC;

Publication
FLEXIBLE AUTOMATION AND INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING: ESTABLISHING BRIDGES FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS, FAIM 2023, VOL 2

Abstract
This paper analyses how the harmonization between supply and demand uncertainty and supply chain responsiveness (SC fit) impacts business performance. The study analyses data obtained from a sample of 179 manufacturing companies from Portugal. The business performance of companies with different types of SC fit (high-high fit and low-low fit) and misfit (positive and negative) were analyzed and discussed. The results indicate that SC fit is positively related to business performance, economic and productivity, and commercial performance separately. This study advances the literature as the results indicate that SC fit positively affects both commercial and economic, and productivity performance. In contrast, previous empirical studies have mainly addressed the impact only on financial and operational performance.

2024

The moderator effect of balance of power on the relationships between the adoption of digital technologies in supply chain management processes and innovation performance in SMEs

Authors
Zimmermann, R; Soares, A; Roca, JB;

Publication
INDUSTRIAL MARKETING MANAGEMENT

Abstract
Managing supply chain (SC) relationships to deal with challenges posed by contemporary social and business environments is a difficult task that can be facilitated with the use of digital technologies. The growing complexity of supply chains, characterized by over-dependencies on geographically dispersed partners across different regions, increases risks related to managing these relationships and highlights the importance of collaboration and balancing the power dynamics between SC partners. Previous studies have shown that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can be considered the weakest link in terms of digitization and balance of power. This article aims to analyse how buyer-seller power relations moderate the relationship between the adoption of digital technologies in supply chain management (SCM) processes and innovation performance in the context of SMEs. Data were collected from manufacturing SMEs operating in Portugal. The results support the assumption that the use of digital technologies in processes related to SCM has a positive effect on SMEs innovation performance. The results also suggest that non-mediated power and reward-mediated positively moderate the relationship between the adoption of digital technologies and innovation performance, while the impact of coercive-mediated power was not confirmed. The article contributes to theory and practice by advancing the literature and guiding managers in the challenging task of carrying out digital transformation initiatives, considering their relationship with the power dynamics in the complex context of SMEs.

Supervised
thesis

2023

Towards Circular Supply Chains in the Plastic and Packaging Industry: the role of technologies

Author
Joana Sofia Sarmento Ferreira

Institution
INESCTEC

2023

How do Technologies contribute to the Development of more Sustainable and Resilient Supply Chains — A Textile Sector perspective

Author
Pedro Guedes

Institution
INESCTEC

2023

Stylish, sustainable and resilient – a circular supply chain perspective for the fashion industry

Author
Sara Maria Teixeira Ribeiro

Institution
INESCTEC

2021

Drivers and barriers for implementing the digital transformation in the Portuguese industry

Author
Diana Raquel Moreira Cardoso

Institution
INESCTEC

2021

The moderator effect of information sharing on the relationship between digital technologies adoption and innovation performance

Author
Cláudia Monteiro

Institution
INESCTEC